I watched! Yes, I felt bad for Pam, because she didn't crack a smile, even at the end when everyone was waving and smiling. Doesn't she know that a smile will get you a vote or two?

Kirstie did very well, I thought, but the one who impressed me the most was Shaun. It may just be that I love Derek's choreography, always have, and when he has a worthy partner, he goes all out. The other of my favorites last night was Emmitt. That guy is a walking smile. Besides his effervescent personality, he's got such grace. Some of the other football players have been fast on their feet like Emmitt, but none of them have had his fluidity. Cheryl must be in dance heaven right now.

I loved seeing Helio again, though I suspect he won't last overly long on judges' points. (He may get voted through a few times on the strength of his personality and the popularity of his sport, of course). He, Apolo, Drew, and Gilles are all pretty effective in the spotlight.

Man, it's tough to root for a winner with so many of the best dancers competing against one another! I can just about narrow it down to Shaun vs. Emmitt. Shaun also happens to be partnered with just about my favorite pro dancer, Derek, so that pushes her half a step ahead of Emmitt, I guess.

It's going to be interesting to see how Sabrina B. and Shaun do against each other. They're both curvy petite blondes with great smiles and dance/athletic training, and I think some audience members are even going to mix them up.

I loved seeing Helio again, though I suspect he won't last overly long on judges' points. (He may get voted through a few times on the strength of his personality and the popularity of his sport, of course). He, Apolo, Drew, and Gilles are all pretty effective in the spotlight.

Olympia, I am not understanding your comment about Helio. Don't you think he's a good dancer??

Originally Posted by Olympia

Shaun also happens to be partnered with just about my favorite pro dancer, Derek, so that pushes her half a step ahead of Emmitt, I guess.

I am not a big fan of Derek so I am sorry to see Shaun paired with him.

Oh why, oh why did ABC have a 2 hour results show tonight? I thought they'd be doing a 2nd dance; otherwise, I would've cancelled the dvr from recording...... Results shows should be 30 minutes - that would still allow them to draw out the drama and have the 2 guest dance routines.

Emmett was my favorite. He is so smooth and so obviously enjoying himself - love the smile.

Gilles is another favorite.

Kelly Monaco surprised me. She picked up right where she left off at the end of season 1. That's pretty good for not dancing in 7 years and Latin was her strong point by the end of her season.

Helio is fun to watch, but in comparison to some other contestants, he's a bit more awkward in some of his movements.

Bristol was better than I remembered, but I still don't want to see her mother on screen. Why no show other people's mothers and talk to them, too? Bristol's got the shimmy going, but not much else right now.

Shaun and Sabrina did really well, too,.... and they do really look alike.

I think it's justified that Pam went home, though I feel sorry for her because she wasn't able to do a good job. I would have been really sorry if Drew had gone home the first week.

Dee, I love Helio and rooted for him throughout his season, but the standard has gone up so much that I'm afraid that just being a good dancer might not be enough for him this time around. Two of the other athletes taking part are "body" athletes: they train moves that no ordinary person can do. Helio does his athletic job sitting down. I know that driving takes strength, but it doesn't take flexibility in the same way that gymnastics or short-track skating does. And then there's Sabrina, who's got dance training, the two boy band guys, and one of the best naturally gifted dancers in the history of the show, Emmitt. (Who also knows how to train hard physically and is very disciplined, making him extra-formidable. And his partner is one of the show's best choreographers, Cheryl.) Additionally, Melissa probably has some movement training. So a lot of competition is stacked up against Helio. He could win on popularity, but I don't think he's going to win on judging, because I don't think his moves will get him a higher score than Emmitt's, Apolo's, or Shaun's on any given week. In terms of chemistry, he's got competition from Gilles. (Though I'd choose Helio over Gilles most of the time. I do love Helio!)

I wish they'd just let everyone dance all through this season and then rank them. I hate to think that we have to say goodbye to favorites every week.

Melissa certainly looks to me as someone who has had ballet; judges were enthusing over her "lines." And I'd love to see Tony rank up higher than he has in the past. I just love his dancing and attitude.

It's been on several online news sites--maybe CNN or USA Today, with quotes from Maks himself.

Alas.

Kitt, I'm half hoping that Melissa will win so that Tony can finally have a win of his own. He's one of the nicest pros: not flashy, no ego, very patient (except of course when he had to deal with Kate Gosselin), good teacher. My Bulgarian friends are especially partial to him because he's from the Balkans (Albania or Kossovo, I think), so I'm imagining the party we'll have if he earns the trophy for his partner. Go, Melissa and Tony!

It's been on several online news sites--maybe CNN or USA Today, with quotes from Maks himself.

Alas.

Kitt, I'm half hoping that Melissa will win so that Tony can finally have a win of his own. He's one of the nicest pros: not flashy, no ego, very patient (except of course when he had to deal with Kate Gosselin), good teacher. My Bulgarian friends are especially partial to him because he's from the Balkans (Albania or Kossovo, I think), so I'm imagining the party we'll have if he earns the trophy for his partner. Go, Melissa and Tony!

Toni, say it isn't so!!! Where did you hear?? He is one of the top reasons I watch....love to watch him.

yahoo news had it the other day. he was quoted as saying he's tired of boosting the careers of others and he wants to focus more on his own. iirc he's going into acting and has already landed some roles (or was that another article I read? lol)

I could see him trying out acting. He's got a lot of presence, a nice voice, projects cleverness and resourcefulness, would probably do well in action movies (seems happy to go shirtless upon request), and is as good-looking as an action star needs to be these days.

Or maybe if one of us figures out how to craft a figure-skating movie, he could portray one of the coaches. Or the skaters! I bet he could learn pair moves real fast, like those actors on the Russian version of Skating with the Stars. Quick: which one of us has the best idea for a script?